Len Richards' management of hospital services had been subjected to a barrage of recent criticism from MPs, consultants and staff.

Last night, a public meeting heard further attacks on his leadership and it emerged industrial action would be considered unless changes were made.

A statement from Trust chairman Michael Carr said a combination of "recent events" and an invitation from NHS Northwest for Mr Richards to take up a leading role within its organistation led to his decision.

The statement said: "While it is with regret that we will be losing such an excellent chief executive, it is only fitting that the NHS continues to benefit from not only his leadership, but also his unequivocal commitment to improving the care delivered by the NHS.

"The departure of the chief executive is always a challenging time for any Trust...

"I am sure that everyone will see that it is important that we work together as an organisation to continue to provide and develop our services over the coming months, while the process to appoint a suitable replacement takes its course."

Mr Carr continued: "These are anyway very challenging times, but I am confident that, by working together as an organisation and with our partners, we will continue to provide the excellent patient care that we are all committed to."

Gary Doherty, Mr Richard's deputy and Trust chief operating officer, has agreed to undertake the role of acting chief executive.

The decision was reached after a ballot and followed a series of controversial moves by the Trust including changing Clatterbridge into a day-case centre only and proposed plans for cardio-vascular surgery to be merged with the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern said: “I wish Len Richards the best for his future.

“The absolute priority for patients and staff in Wirral now has to be to put in place an immediate action plan to tackle staff morale and underlying problems.

"I will be listening to my constituents, staff and representatives.”

Mr Richards, who was appointed five years ago, will leave on August 22, to head the Quality, Innovative, Productivity and Prevention Programme, which has the aim of ensuring that "each pound spent is used to bring maximum benefit and quality of care to patients."

Len Richards' management of hospital services had been subjected to a barrage of recent criticism from MPs, consultants and staff.

Last night, a public meeting heard further attacks on his leadership and it emerged industrial action would be considered unless changes were made.

A statement from Trust chairman Michael Carr said a combination of "recent events" and an invitation from NHS Northwest for Mr Richards to take up a leading role within its organistation led to his decision.

The statement said: "While it is with regret that we will be losing such an excellent chief executive, it is only fitting that the NHS continues to benefit from not only his leadership, but also his unequivocal commitment to improving the care delivered by the NHS.

"The departure of the chief executive is always a challenging time for any Trust...

"I am sure that everyone will see that it is important that we work together as an organisation to continue to provide and develop our services over the coming months, while the process to appoint a suitable replacement takes its course."

Mr Carr continued: "These are anyway very challenging times, but I am confident that, by working together as an organisation and with our partners, we will continue to provide the excellent patient care that we are all committed to."

Gary Doherty, Mr Richard's deputy and Trust chief operating officer, has agreed to undertake the role of acting chief executive.

The decision was reached after a ballot and followed a series of controversial moves by the Trust including changing Clatterbridge into a day-case centre only and proposed plans for cardio-vascular surgery to be merged with the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern said: “I wish Len Richards the best for his future.

“The absolute priority for patients and staff in Wirral now has to be to put in place an immediate action plan to tackle staff morale and underlying problems.

"I will be listening to my constituents, staff and representatives.”

Mr Richards, who was appointed five years ago, will leave on August 22, to head the Quality, Innovative, Productivity and Prevention Programme, which has the aim of ensuring that "each pound spent is used to bring maximum benefit and quality of care to patients."

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So he is going from one well paid job which he has cocked up, to another well paid job which he will probably cock up. Why can't inefficient bosses just be sacked the same as they do to the plebs? I suppose it saves him going for a million squid payoff as well.

So he is going from one well paid job which he has cocked up, to another well paid job which he will probably cock up. Why can't inefficient bosses just be sacked the same as they do to the plebs? I suppose it saves him going for a million squid payoff as well.

Can anyone explain to me (a simple soul) in a couple of words WHAT a Chief Executive in the NHS actually does for their obscene salary ?

Am I right in assuming that the second of the two words is "all" ?

I'm sorry, but there aren't just a few words to sum up what the Chief Exec does. He is paid so well because the buck rests with him. Please remember how he is responsible for every member of staff under him and the magic words I've always remembered...

"You can delegate authority but not responsibility"

If those below you don't do as they are told and a monumental cock up occurs, who is forced to resign? Sure the manager who made the cock up may go but it won't make the News, the cock up might though! Who has their name dragged through the dirt!? Yep, the man with ultimate responsibility.

The Chief Executive has responsibility for establishing the Hospital Trust as an organisation, providing clear vision and strategic direction, overall performance of the executive functions of the trust, achieving value for money from the resources available to the trust, using to best effect the funds available to meet the needs of patients and staff etc.

But it's not an easy job and it's not something you just fire your CV across for and get an interview. He'll have worked for years to get to where he is, successfully worked I might add, they won't just employ any muppet.

He's still a man who no doubt has a family and house to run, and are we certain the mistakes made have come directly from him?

Len Richards' management of hospital services had been subjected to a barrage of recent criticism from MPs, consultants and staff.

Last night, a public meeting heard further attacks on his leadership and it emerged industrial action would be considered unless changes were made.

A statement from Trust chairman Michael Carr said a combination of "recent events" and an invitation from NHS Northwest for Mr Richards to take up a leading role within its organistation led to his decision.

The statement said: "While it is with regret that we will be losing such an excellent chief executive, it is only fitting that the NHS continues to benefit from not only his leadership, but also his unequivocal commitment to improving the care delivered by the NHS.

"The departure of the chief executive is always a challenging time for any Trust...

"I am sure that everyone will see that it is important that we work together as an organisation to continue to provide and develop our services over the coming months, while the process to appoint a suitable replacement takes its course."

Mr Carr continued: "These are anyway very challenging times, but I am confident that, by working together as an organisation and with our partners, we will continue to provide the excellent patient care that we are all committed to."

Gary Doherty, Mr Richard's deputy and Trust chief operating officer, has agreed to undertake the role of acting chief executive.

The decision was reached after a ballot and followed a series of controversial moves by the Trust including changing Clatterbridge into a day-case centre only and proposed plans for cardio-vascular surgery to be merged with the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern said: “I wish Len Richards the best for his future.

“The absolute priority for patients and staff in Wirral now has to be to put in place an immediate action plan to tackle staff morale and underlying problems.

"I will be listening to my constituents, staff and representatives.”

Mr Richards, who was appointed five years ago, will leave on August 22, to head the Quality, Innovative, Productivity and Prevention Programme, which has the aim of ensuring that "each pound spent is used to bring maximum benefit and quality of care to patients."

Len Richards' management of hospital services had been subjected to a barrage of recent criticism from MPs, consultants and staff.

Last night, a public meeting heard further attacks on his leadership and it emerged industrial action would be considered unless changes were made.

A statement from Trust chairman Michael Carr said a combination of "recent events" and an invitation from NHS Northwest for Mr Richards to take up a leading role within its organistation led to his decision.

The statement said: "While it is with regret that we will be losing such an excellent chief executive, it is only fitting that the NHS continues to benefit from not only his leadership, but also his unequivocal commitment to improving the care delivered by the NHS.

"The departure of the chief executive is always a challenging time for any Trust...

"I am sure that everyone will see that it is important that we work together as an organisation to continue to provide and develop our services over the coming months, while the process to appoint a suitable replacement takes its course."

Mr Carr continued: "These are anyway very challenging times, but I am confident that, by working together as an organisation and with our partners, we will continue to provide the excellent patient care that we are all committed to."

Gary Doherty, Mr Richard's deputy and Trust chief operating officer, has agreed to undertake the role of acting chief executive.

The decision was reached after a ballot and followed a series of controversial moves by the Trust including changing Clatterbridge into a day-case centre only and proposed plans for cardio-vascular surgery to be merged with the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern said: “I wish Len Richards the best for his future.

“The absolute priority for patients and staff in Wirral now has to be to put in place an immediate action plan to tackle staff morale and underlying problems.

"I will be listening to my constituents, staff and representatives.”

Mr Richards, who was appointed five years ago, will leave on August 22, to head the Quality, Innovative, Productivity and Prevention Programme, which has the aim of ensuring that "each pound spent is used to bring maximum benefit and quality of care to patients."

Oh, and his new job role is to head the Quality, Innovative, Productivity and Prevention Programme, which has the aim of ensuring that "each pound spent is used to bring maximum benefit and quality of care to patients."

I think we used to call this "being kicked upstairs"?Clearly, the NHS has never heard of "The Peter Principle"..!

They may not have heard of it but they certainly practice it. The "Peter Principle" is where people get promoted above their level of competence to get them out of the way and stop stuffing the job, just in case anyone is wondering.